Wednesday, January 17, 2007

American Idol: It’s Baaaack!

Was Lisa de Moraes from the Washington Post watching the same American Idol (AI) as I was last night? She writes in Idol’s Trying Times, “. . . Abdul appears to be all sober and normal and obeying the Geneva Conventions.”

de Moraes is referring, of course, to AI judge Paula Abdul who has captured recent media attention again for some rather strange behavior on interviews promoting the new season of America’s favorite guilty pleasure.

I hate to admit it, but I like this show, at least the shows after the first two or three episodes where Fox proceeds to give nutty wannabes a chance at making fools of themselves on national television. I’m not talking about the sincerely honest performers who seem to have some talent. I’m referring to those contestants who for whatever reason, appear to have thrown together an “act” in hopes of making it big.

Yes, the American Dream is a powerful concept. But people, it is founded on either having or learning some talent or skill and then capturing attention and accolades. It just doesn’t mean you throw yourself and whatever dignity you ought to have out there and hope it sticks. Are you that desperate? Spend the time and money you spent auditioning on education for goodness sakes.

Back to Abdul. About a year and half ago, USA Today had a story on her where she said she was suffering from a medical condition condition called complex regional pain syndrome. If she’s on some kind of medication for this problem, I hope it works. But, despite de Moraes opinion, I don’t think she looked normal last night. Not unless loopy is normal.

8 comments:

AlexD said...

Sheila,

I have to admit, I like American Idol also. Paula Abdul however seemed a little strange to me, as if she were a tad bit disconnected. And honestly what is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome? Is that in the same category as Cable Payment Bumitis?
This was a good read, keep up the good work.

Alex~H~

Anonymous said...

I wouldn't presume to diagnose what's going on with Paula, but I am happy to know that there are some explanations other than her being high on something all the time. But last night, clearly, the Paula Effect was in the house. Last night was perhaps a weak start to the season: the whacko's were not as totally whacked as we've seen before, and the stars, um, not so much. But I absolutely had tears in my eyes for the boy who made his absent mother proud. It's so easy to fill in a back story there. Go, Matt, go!

Sheila said...

Good to hear from you Alex. See, I knew I wasn't just imagining it. Scott's friend thought the same too. I hate it when a bigwig reporter gets it wrong.

And you can be sure the show was the topic around the watercooler today too. I talked with a friend this afternoon who said she was sorry that she didn't watch the show. She didn't know what a customer and the cashier were talking about when she overheard their conversation at the grocery store.

Sheila said...

I'm with you Randy on that 16 year-old kid. It tugged at my heart too. Conversely, I found the other 16 year-old had too much of a 'tude for me. I guess I'll watch it again tonight since Friday Night Lights is a rerun.

Anonymous said...

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is, I think, a reaction to moving to a place like Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. ;-)

Sheila said...

Jay, I may be loopy, but I can't blame that on PA. I'm looking forward to PA but will miss the familiar.

Anonymous said...

Pennsylvania isn't so bad, really. My wife is from Kennett Squate PA, which is about 30 miles southwest of Philadelphia.

Sheila said...

Jay, I really am looking forward to exploring the state, especially the historic areas. Plus, the mountains are just lovely. Now, I will have to get used to traveling a bit to get certain things. And I'm not looking forward to having to worry about hitting deer while driving. PA is the worst state, I believe, for that. I'll miss the ease of getting to Montgomery's airport and the Southern food I've grown accustomed to.

Well, I certainly got off topic here. But to wrap it all up and bring it back, I did watch American Idol again last night and Scott and I thought that Seattle must have been holding a "freak" convention or that a side-show carnival sent all the performers in to tryout. Strange, strange people. So strange that I think some were hoaxes and frauds.